Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 1

To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Ugin). The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.

Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 2

A colorless spell whose mana cost is {2} or {1} will cost {0} to cast.

Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 3

Once you look at the exiled face-down card once, you may look at it again any time you wish. If another player gains control of the Spirit token, that player can't look at the exiled card.

Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 4

If the Spirit leaves the battlefield for any reason, you'll put the exiled card into your hand, even if Ugin left the battlefield before that happened.

Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 5

If you've activated Ugin's ability multiple times, you must keep track of which exiled card belongs to each Spirit token.

Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 6

If an effect such as that of Doubling Season causes Ugin to create two Spirit tokens, you still only exile one card from your library. You'll put that card into your hand the first time that either of the tokens leaves the battlefield.

Ugin, the Ineffable — ruling 7

A land normally has no color, even if it can produce one or more colors of mana.

Ugin, the Ineffable : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Ugin, the Ineffable is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Colorless spells you cast cost less to cast. +1: Exile the top card of your library face down and look at it. Create a 2/2 colorless Spirit creature token. When that token leaves the battlefield, put the exiled card into your hand. −3: Destroy target permanent that's one or more colors.

Complete guide

Ugin, the Ineffable is a powerhouse for colorless decks, providing significant mana reduction and versatile removal. Whether you are ramping into massive artifacts or generating board presence while drawing cards, this legendary planeswalker is a cornerstone of colorless strategies.

Colorless Mastery and Cost Reduction

Ugin's passive ability makes every colorless spell you cast cost {2} less. This applies to artifacts, Eldrazi, and even colorless planeswalkers. When calculating costs, you start with the mana cost, add any increases, and then subtract Ugin's {2} reduction. A spell with a mana cost of {2} or {1} becomes completely free to cast.

Manifesting the Spirit

When you activate Ugin's +1 ability, you exile the top card of your library face down and create a 2/2 Spirit token. You are allowed to look at the exiled card at any time, but your opponents cannot. The card is tied to that specific token; when the Spirit leaves the battlefield for any reason—whether it is destroyed, exiled, or bounced—the exiled card moves to your hand.

Targeted Deconstruction

Ugin's -3 ability allows you to destroy any permanent that is one or more colors. This is a highly effective way to deal with problematic creatures, enchantments, or other planeswalkers. However, remember that most lands are colorless even if they produce colored mana, so you usually cannot target a land with this ability.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is losing track of which card belongs to which Spirit token if you activate Ugin multiple times. You must keep them distinct. Additionally, if you lose control of the Spirit token to an opponent, they do not get to look at the face-down card, but you still get the card in your hand when that token eventually leaves the battlefield.

Interaction examples

Discounted Legends

Karn Liberated

If you have Ugin, the Ineffable on the battlefield, the colorless planeswalker Karn Liberated will cost only {5} mana to cast instead of {7}. Ugin's passive ability applies to any colorless spell, including legendary permanents.

Synergistic Removal

Ugin, Eye of the Storms

With Ugin, the Ineffable in play, casting Ugin, Eye of the Storms costs {2} less. Since Ugin, Eye of the Storms is a colorless spell, its own triggered ability will also trigger, allowing you to exile a colored permanent while Ugin, the Ineffable continues to sit on the board providing value.

Token Interaction

Spirit

When Ugin creates a 2/2 Spirit token, it is linked to a face-down exiled card. If an opponent uses a spell to exile the Spirit token, the link is fulfilled: the token has 'left the battlefield,' and the face-down card is immediately put into your hand.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Ugin, the Ineffable

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Ugin). The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
A colorless spell whose mana cost is or will cost to cast.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Once you look at the exiled face-down card once, you may look at it again any time you wish. If another player gains control of the Spirit token, that player can't look at the exiled card.
Card named in this ruling
Spirit
#4May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If the Spirit leaves the battlefield for any reason, you'll put the exiled card into your hand, even if Ugin left the battlefield before that happened.
Card named in this ruling
Spirit
#5May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If you've activated Ugin's ability multiple times, you must keep track of which exiled card belongs to each Spirit token.
Card named in this ruling
Spirit
#6May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect such as that of Doubling Season causes Ugin to create two Spirit tokens, you still only exile one card from your library. You'll put that card into your hand the first time that either of the tokens leaves the battlefield.
Card named in this ruling
Spirit
#7May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
A land normally has no color, even if it can produce one or more colors of mana.
No other card is named in this ruling.